legislative branch

Bicameral Legislature

A legislative system with two chambers or houses, like the U.S. Congress, comprised of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Advantages of Bicameral Legislature

More diverse constituency and reduced likelihood of flawed legislation.

Disadvantages of Bicameral Legislature

Slower to act and less accountability.

Size of House vs. Senate

The House has 435 voting representatives, while the Senate has 100 senators.

Seats per State in House

Each state has proportional representation based on population, while the Senate has two senators per state regardless of population.

Term Lengths in House and Senate

House members serve 2-year terms, while Senators serve 6-year terms.

Citizenship and Age Requirements for House

A House member must be a U.S. citizen for at least seven years and be at least twenty-five years old.

Citizenship and Age Requirements for Senate

A Senator must be a U.S. citizen for at least nine years and be at least thirty years old.

Revenue Bills

Bills that raise revenue must originate in the House of Representatives.

Standing Committee

Permanent congressional committees with responsibility for a particular area of public policy.

Joint Committee

Congressional committees composed of members from both houses performing advisory functions.

Select Committee

Committees that perform functions similar to standing committees but cover issues crossing multiple jurisdictions; can be temporary.

Conference Committee

Temporary committees formed to resolve differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.

Speaker of the House

Most powerful position, presiding officer and administrative head, responsible for assigning bills and overseeing procedures.

House Majority Leader

Second most powerful, often in position to assume the speakership.

Senate Majority Leader

Chief spokesperson for the majority party, works with other leaders in the Senate.

Senate President Pro Tempore

Usually the most senior senator of the majority party, largely an honorary and powerless role.

Traditional Legislative Process

Process consisting of six stages: drafting, committee work, floor debate, reconciliation, presidential decision, and veto override.

Traditional Filibuster

A procedural tactic used to delay a vote by continuous speaking, which can be ended with a cloture vote.

Cloture Vote

A vote to limit Senate debate to thirty hours, requiring three-fifths (60 votes) for passage.

Modern Filibuster

A procedural method that allows senators to block legislation without continuous speaking, utilizing cloture rules.

Omnibus Spending Bill

A type of bill that combines multiple appropriations bills into one larger bill for passage.

Budget Reconciliation Process

Process through which the federal budget can be amended by a simple majority vote.

Apportionment

Redistribution of House seats based on changes in state population from the census.

One-Person, One-Vote Standard

Rule ensuring equal representation in districts, established by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Redistricting

Redrawing of congressional and legislative district lines to maintain equal population.

Gerrymandering

Manipulation of district boundaries to favor a particular party or group.

Uncompetitive Congressional Elections

Elections where few voters feel their participation matters, leading to disengagement.

The Big Sort

Trend of Americans clustering by similar demographics and political beliefs.

Malapportionment

Unequal distribution of voting power across electoral units.

Descriptive Representation

Representation in a legislature that mirrors the demographics of the population served.

Constituent Service

Non-legislative activities aimed at assisting constituents.

Pork-Barrel Politics

Federal spending on projects that benefit a specific district or group of constituents.